Down Syndrome, or Trisonomy 21, was named after a British doctor named John Langdon Down. Down Syndrome (DS) is not an inherited disease. It is due to a nondisjunction which is a chromosomal problem when an egg and sperm fertilize. The extra 21st chromosome can affect a child both physically and mentally.
To the Parents:
Sarah and Matthew, we are here to help inform you the risk your child can have with acquiring Down Syndrome. Although it is not a genetically inherited disease since it's caused by a chromosomal problem during fertilization, Sarah does indeed have a higher risk of giving birth to a child with DS due to her age. However, some tests can be performed to check if your child does or does not have it before you give birth. Please use this site to give you a better understanding on DS by using the navigation panel to the right.
Here are some other helpful sites that will provide you some background knowledge:
What is Down Syndrome?
To the Parents:
Here are some other helpful sites that will provide you some background knowledge: